Keep New Year’s Resolution To Lose Weight

With the sumptuous food and treats available during the holiday season, it’s easy for us overdo it – even while we are adopting a New Year’s resolution to lose weight and be active.

“Making a resolution to lose weight today is an important first step to a long and healthy life,” said Department of Health Services Secretary Karen Timberlake. “You can get a strong start by knowing where you are at today; then set realistic goals to eat healthy and include physical activity into your life.”

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Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including Type II diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, sleep apnea, some cancers, and joint problems. In Wisconsin, 2 of 3 adults are either overweight or obese.

Most people know their overall health depends on being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight. The problem is that most good intentions often get derailed even before they can be put into practice. Suggestions to get started include:

* Writing down what you eat and drink for a few days, including the time and how much you are eating
* Tracking your activity level for a week
* Knowing your numbers -- specifically your body mass index (BMI)

“Whether your goal is to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, be physically active on a regular basis, or make healthy food choices, you should recognize that taking small steps can have a lasting impact. Small changes made over time will be more likely to become part of your daily routine,” Timberlake added.

All diet plans work for the short term. The weight loss achieved in a few weeks is proportional to the calorie restriction imposed. That's the good news. The bad news, which is recalled in Michel Desmurget's book, "The Antiregime," is that "out of 100 individuals who followed a restrictive diet, 95 regain all the weight lost in less than two to five years." Michel Desmurget is a doctor of neuroscience and someone who formerly suffered from obesity.

According to a recent US study, published in the journal Diabetes Therapy, the ketogenic diet, which favors glucose-based fat, could reverse Type 2 Diabetes if it is accompanied by daily monitoring. Type 2 diabetes occurs in adults and affects mostly obese or overweight people.

According to a news release from Penn State, when it comes to portion control a new study shows that choosing healthier foods for your plate is more effective than choosing to limit your eating to smaller portions.